Breaking a cultural divide as a role modelBueno sworn in as police officer

June 06, 2006

As a police officer, a woman can reach some members of her community much better than a man. As a Spanish speaker, even more. That's why when Mary Jane Bueno Jr. was recently sworn in as a South Bend police officer, many were proud. Bueno is the second Hispanic woman ever to fill that position. "I'm definitely honored to work for the police department," she said in a recent interview. She is fluent in both Spanish and English and hopes to serve as a conduit between the police department and the Spanish-speaking community. "I'll be able to break that cultural gap," she said. More than that, Bueno hopes that she will become a leader in the Hispanic community. "I'll actually be a role model out there," she agreed. "I'm looking forward to being a police officer." Mary Jane graduated from Riley High School in 1996 and joined the Marine Corps right away. "At that time I was not ready for college. I wanted to go into the military," she explained. Two years later, Mary Jane left the Marines to work as a control officer at the Juvenile Justice Center. In 2000, she enrolled at Indiana University South Bend, where she graduated with a bachelor's degree in criminal justice. "I always had an interest in criminal justice," she said. After graduating, she worked as a bilingual specialist at Washington High School, helping Hispanic children stay in school, get tutoring, and apply for college scholarships. She also got to know many of their families. "I worked with the community," she said. "It's fun getting to meet people, help people out." Mary Jane, 28, grew up in one of the oldest Hispanic families in the area. She is the eldest of five and the daughter of Jose Luis Bueno and Mary Jane Flores. The Buenos settled in South Bend several decades ago. There weren't many Hispanics in town when she was growing up, she said. Most of the Hispanics she knew were her family members. But relating to and communicating with newer immigrants hasn't been a problem, she said. Over the past several years, as the Hispanic community has grown, the South Bend police department has tried to recruit more Hispanic and Spanish-speaking staff. The first Hispanic officer ever to serve in the department is Cpl. Rosa Alvarez, who started in 1982 and is on the day shift patrol division. Joining the police department wasn't easy, Mary Jane said. The physical and written tests were challenging. "I worked hard to get this position," she said. As she begins training at the police academy, which is from early June to mid-September, Mary Jane, who considers herself a workaholic, said she's not afraid of challenges. "It'll be challenging definitely," she said. "There's a lot of book work and tests in criminal law and emergency situations." But she said other officers and her own family members have been there for her. "Everyone's very supportive of me," she said.Staff writer Pablo Ros: pros@sbtinfo.com (574) 235-6555 Pablo Ros Voces Latinas Pablo Ros writes a weekly feature for The Tribune.